When we were kids playing a game, we would change the rules, if we didn’t have all the pieces. We would make it work even though it wasn’t what the game rules said to do. I assumed that was a creative action to take as long as everyone agreed.

As a teacher who invented new games for her classroom to teach a lesson or build them as a team, I would change the rules as we went along so that the game would accomplish my intended purpose. Sometimes I didn’t know what would work best until the game was actually played by real kids. Have you ever done that? Changed the rules so it would work better? I think we have all made adjustments in life so that the main goal was met.

God had a plan, commands, and a game plan that his people chose not to follow and live out in their lives. Their hearts became hardened. Many stopped listening to God. God knew that they would. So God changed up the way to Him so that His promises, that are unchangeable, the goal of reconciling us to Him, could be met.

Our next passage is the CENTER of God’s action taken in Jesus Christ, His Son, who became our permanent Priest, our Advocate, before God. The old line of imperfect humans as priests was abolished. Jesus Christ, Son of God, perfect, without sin, became our suffering sacrifice for all our sins, then and now. Gamechanger. This is the New Covenant. The Promise ratified and delivered. The New Way. Life eternal with God.

“God gave his word; he won’t take it back; ‘You’re the permanent priest.” AND it works!

Hebrews 7, The Message

A Permanent Priesthood

11-14 If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn’t have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek. But since it didn’t get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law. There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood, which is why there is nothing in Jesus’ family tree connecting him with that priestly line.

15-19 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—“priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek.” The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.

20-22 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:

God gave his word;

he won’t take it back:

“You’re the permanent priest.”

This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.

23-25 Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

26-28 So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God’s presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn’t have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He’s done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.

JESUS has done it, once and for all. Let that sink in…

Dear Heavenly Father,

There is NO ONE like You. You created all. You are in all. You know how we will respond, how imperfect we can be and you made a Way, the only Way back to you and it doesn’t cost us anything but our repentance and surrender to You. You paid it all, the entire cost, to bring us back to you in reconciliation. Thank you, thank you, thank you. A love like this has no bounds, no limits. Continue to transform me now into all you intended for this creation to be. Help me to love like you love. You are incredible and awesome at the same time. Life is all about you and nothing else.

In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing….

(Resurrecting by Elevation Worship)

The head that once was crowned with thorns

Is crowned with glory now

The Savior knelt to wash our feet

Now at His feet we bow

The One who wore our sin and shame

Now robed in majesty

The radiance of perfect love

Now shines for all to see

Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king

Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king

The fear that held us now gives way

To Him who is our peace

His final breath upon the cross

Is now alive in me

Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king

Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king

By Your spirit I will rise

From the ashes of defeat

The resurrected King, is resurrecting me

In Your name I come alive

To declare…

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About randscallawayffm

Randy and Susan co founded Finding Focus Ministries in 2006. Their goal as former full time pastors, is to serve and provide spiritual encouragement and focus to those on the "front lines" of ministry. Extensive experience being on both sides of ministry, paid and volunteer, on the mission fields of other countries as well as the United States, helps them bring a different perspective to those who need it most. Need a lift? Call us 260 229 2276.